INthemorningthecouncilmetagainandresolvedthatthetownshouldreturntoitsoldobedience,andbysurrenderingwithoutconditionshopedtoreceivepardonforitsoffences.LodovicoMoroenteredintriumph,andgoingtothefortresswasreceivedbyCaterina,whocameforthfromthecitadelandwithhimproceededtothecathedraltohearmass.ThegoodForlivesiweregettingusedtoovationsastheCountesspassedthroughthestreetstheyreceivedherwithacclamation,throngingtheroadoneachside,blessingher,andhermother,andallherancestors.Shewentherwayasindifferentaswhenshehadcrossedthesamestreetsafewdaysbackamidtheexecrationsofherfaithfulsubjects.Thekeenobserversnoticedthefirmclosingofhermouth,whichbodednoparticulargoodtotheForlivesi,andconsequentlyredoubledtheirshoutsofjoy.
TheprotonotarySavellohadmysteriouslydisappearedwhenthenewsofChecco'sflighthadbeenbroughthimbutCaterinawassooninformedthathehadtakenrefugeinaDominicanmonastery.Alightsmilebrokeoverherlipsassheremarked,—
'Onewouldratherhaveexpectedhimtotakerefugeinaconvent.'
Thenshesentpeopletohimtoassurehimofhergoodwillandbeghimtojoinher.Thegoodmanturnedpaleattheinvitation,buthedarednotrefuseit.So,comfortinghimselfwiththethoughtthat